1.The Superhero Evolution
Gone are the days of flip-phones, Motorola Razrs and other similar phones of the early 2000s, a momentous period for fans of superhero movies. It’s safe to say that Marvel Comics is to thank for the surge of superhero activity taking the world by storm. Superhero movies now dominate the box office, with Avengers: Endgame already entered the history books as one of the most successful movies of all time. But what sparked the superhero boom in the first place?
Since the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, superhero movies have totally altered the landscape of blockbuster films. In the early 2000s, Marvel Comics were desperate to tap into more movie audiences. The Marvel team wanted to develop a superhero universe that would make the most of their beloved characters. That’s when the revolutionary plan of interconnecting movies was born.
The Marvel MCU generated hundreds of millions of ticket sales for its various movies, with a few hitting the billion mark. This created an unprecedented momentum, transforming superhero films from mere popcorn flicks into acclaimed art forms. The stars of the MCU, such as Robert Downey Jr., became huge celebrities virtually overnight.
This success enabled Marvel to experiment with its characters, taking them in varying directions and finding new ways to bring out their value beyond the comic books. Marvel pushed the boundaries of technology by introducing CGI characters and giving them amazing details and features.
2.A Sense of Escapism
One of the biggest draws behind superhero movies is the sense of escapism they provide. We are living increasingly complicated lives with bad news every day. This can make us feel trapped. Superheroes give us something to escape to, and portray figures of power and strength that many of us can’t always relate to.
Some of us may feel too daunted to conclude a business deal or find the courage to launch a business ourselves. But with the help of the superhuman skills superheroes possess, the audience can embark on a thrilling journey and feel on top of the world. It’s thrilling for them to see their favorite characters conquer evil and make impossible feats possible.
This escapism offers us a way to make sense of our own lives, as we can project ourselves into the story. We crave heroism and empowerment, which is why it’s often so thrilling for us to see the heroes succeed in the end. Superhero movies give us these and the feeling of their grandeur from the safety of our own cushions.
3.The Development of Technology and Visual Effects
Lately, superhero movies have become a major part of modern filmmaking. This is largely due to advances in technology, creating more realistic visual effects and bigger and better action sequences. Even the most complex sequences, such as the Marvel battle of Wakanda, are now possible within the boundaries of the film world.
This has led to an even greater increase in the potential of superhero movies. Special effects, which could previously be too cost-prohibitive, are now possible. New CGI techniques allow filmmakers to bring greater detail and realism to their characters and settings.
Moreover, in this day and age, we stand on the brink of introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into filmmaking. It’s not out of the realm of possibility for AI to be used to create whole universes for superheroes to inhabit. This will surely add new layers to the superheroes’ stories and might even introduce to the silver screen.
4.An Absorbing Storyline
At the end of the day, all great movies have one thing in common – an amazing setup and story that keep us hooked. After all, we return to superhero movies in spite of the epic action, elaborate sets and creative special effects. We are drawn in by compelling stories and characters that make us believe in their motivations and sympathize with their plight.
Another reason why superhero movies are so compelling is that their themes often intersect with the core human experience. The underdog amid certain destruction, the corrupt power figure and the obvious moral conundrums. This relatability is something that many enjoy, as it provides an appreciation of the layered writing and character developments.
The characters of superhero movies, no matter how fantastical, have qualities and complexities that are surprisingly relatable. Many viewers root for the heroes, even though they may never have wanted to be a superhero in their own lives. This speaks to the human desire to be seen and empathize with someone who looks like they’re struggling.
5. A Closer Look at the Psychology
By taking a closer look at the psychology behind the appeal of superhero movies, we can understand why they tap into such a deep, wide and varied group of audiences. Superhero movies form an immersive experience that both entertains and provides a sense of comfort to viewers. Themes such as justice and moral ambiguity are presented in a way that can resonate with real-life scenarios.
The tropes used in superhero stories reach into the long-established roots of mythology, which are embedded into our psychologies. This makes it easy for us to create our own personal investments in the stories. We tend to look at issues through a variety of different perspectives, allowing us to see a bigger picture.
On top of all this, there is also something about the visual aesthetic of superhero movies that draw us in. The color palette, the soundtrack, and the impactful special effects combine to form an irreplaceable experience that just can’t be replicated on paper.
6. The Feminist Perspective
In recent years, studios have been making an effort to create superheroes that appeal to female audiences. One of the best examples of this was the release of ‘Wonder Woman’ starring Gal Gadot. Studios have also created female-led teams, as seen in films such as ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Black Panther’, and this has done much to energize female interest in superhero films.
This is significant, as women are often the left out of much of the superhero genre. The addition of female-led films enables women to identify more deeply with their superhero icons. This promotes confidence and a more inclusive approach to enjoying superhero films.
What’s more, with female-led films, the studios have reached out to progressive special effects teams. Many of the films make an effort to employ female cinematic technicians and other behind-the-scenes staff, with the goal of creating a more gender-equal scene within the films.
7. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Impact
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done much to catapult superhero films to their current status. By creating a connected universe of films, Marvel has allowed their films to have crossover appeal. It has also created a platform for filmmakers to be creative with their characters and storylines in varied directions.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done much to create a platform for experimentation and for fans to interact with their favorite characters, as seen in the release of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. This is something that other superhero franchises have adopted and has become a cornerstone of the genre.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a cultural phenomenon, with its films becoming part of the global zeitgeist. It has been the biggest, most successful movie franchise in history and has motivated studios to bring other franchises to the big screen.
8. The Growth of TV Shows
In recent years, superhero movies have extended their reach towards the small screen as well. The rise of streaming platforms has geared towards a greater emphasis and investment in superhero tv shows. Shows such as ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and ‘The Boys’ have demonstrated that television can create enjoyable, long-running stories with the same energy and excitement as the cinema.
This has been helped by the increasing amount of new technology and effects, making it easier for the small screen to compete for the same effects as the big screen. Growing technology also gives TV series more potential to become worthy addendums to big-screen counterparts.
Overall, the increasing amount of technology has allowed TV series to stand alongside cinema and capture a growing market of superhero fans. We’ve now reached a point where fans are able to enjoy seasons-long storylines and events that can span months and years.
9. Comic Book Adaptations
Another major part of the current superhero boom is the television and movie adaptations of comic books. For years, comic books have been a major source material for superhero movies, but recently, this has been taken to a new level. Adaptations such as ‘The Old Guard’ and ‘Joker’ have displayed the potential of comic books to be adapted onto the silver screen.
These adaptations have proven to be risk-takers and have added to the genre by displaying the potential of characters and storylines outside of the traditional superhero mold. This pushes the boundaries of the genre, creating a mix of both fantasy, horror and adventure elements.
Overall, comic book adaptations have provided much-needed variety and more mature stories within the genre. They have also allowed filmmakers to showcase characters and premises in bold and unpredictable directions, creating something that excites and challenges audiences.
10.VR Experiences and Interactions
Finally, one of the biggest draws for superhero movies is the recent shift towards virtual reality. Immersive experiences have been coupled with virtual technology, allowing fans to interact with their favorite characters in new and exciting ways. One example of this was ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’.
These experiences have created a heightened level of immersion for the viewers, allowing them to truly take part in the action. This is something that isn’t found in other forms of entertainment and has proven to be an optimal way for viewers to engage with their favorite superheroes.
Moreover, VR experiences are also useful for studios to promote their movies by creating virtual experiences and attractions. This has been done with films such as ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, as fans can step inside the action and create an even more enjoyable cinematic experience.
